Nine Emperor God festival

九皇爺 or Kow Wong Yeh (in cantonese)

Chinese opera performer putting on make up

The Nine Emperor God festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration starting from the 1st day of the 9th lunar month. At the Nine Emperor God temple in Ampang, Selangor it is always a huge celebration where thousands of devotees goes to pray for blessings and to give thanks giving. Devotees observe a vegetarian meals even before the start of the festival. Devotees will be dressed in white will be at the temple, praying, lighting up huge incense and candles. Throughout the nine-day festival the temple ground will take on a carnival-light atmosphere. Many people will go to pray and seek divine guidance. Traders cash in to the occasion setting up stall selling anything from vegetarian food and drinks and toys.

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One of the most popular event during the festival wii be the nightly opera performance. The audience will even bring their own chair to enjoy the hours long performance. But to the photo enthusiast it is what happen at back stage that interest them. A few hours before the show start, the makeup and preparation are usually accompanied by many photographers taking picture at the backstage where performers get ready for the show.

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